Gavilon says to expand grains operations in Brazil

SAO PAULO Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S.-based grain merchant
Gavilon Group LLC said on Thursday it plans to invest $300
million in Brazil to nearly double the amount of grain it
handles in the South American country.

Gavilon expects to import or export 6.3 million tonnes of
grain in 2015, up from 3.3 million tonnes of grain this year,
the company said in a statement.

A press representative said the short-term investments would
be made mostly in acquisitions of other companies and logistics,
especially ports, but declined to give details.

Omaha-based Gavilon, owned by Japanese trading house
Marubeni Corp, exports and imports wheat, soybeans, and
corn in Brazil.

Brazil is expected to produce a record soybean crop of more
than 90 million tonnes from the 2014/15 crop that is nearly
planted as well as some 75 million tonnes of corn.
(Reporting by Caroline Stauffer and Roberto Samora; Editing by
David Gregorio)